Gloucester Storytelling Cafe

04/08/2026

Stories aren’t just written—they are spoken, shared, and sometimes built together.

Reminder we are NOT at The Folk in August ( BUT we’ll be back in September)

We are at JOLT in Gloucester so come and join us Thursday 6th August at 6:30 pm for a friendly event focused on the art of oral storytelling.

What to expect:
• A supportive environment to develop or learn new skills.
•Creative group games to build spoken oral stories together
• A warm, safe space to share and listen without judgment.

No pen, no paper, no pressure. Just open minds, shared voices, and plenty of fun.

31/07/2026

Getting ready to join the fun here tomorrow - we will be sharing some stories too!

28/07/2026

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” Gustav Mahler.

Many thanks to The English Folk Dance and Song Society and The Folk of Gloucester for inviting us (The Storytelling Cafe ) to be a part of an inspiring day and witness how the ‘creative fire’ is being re kindled, nurtured and sustained, which is especially important in these increasingly challenging times.

We had a fabulous day meeting old friends and making new contacts. You can read the full report here. ⬇️ Many thanks to Polly Stirzaker

28/07/2026

We had a fabulous day meeting old friends and making new contacts. You can read the full report here. ⬇️ Many thanks to Polly Stirzaker

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” Gustav Mahler After a warm welcome from Kerry Fletcher (Folk Education Network Coordinator) time was spent allowing all the participants to introduce themselves. The event dr

02/07/2026

21/06/2026

Happy Solstice everyone! We are getting ready to celebrate Midsummer at our next Gloucester Storytelling Cafe on 2nd July at our lovely home The Folk of Gloucester! It is going to be a veritable feast of stories from your hosts this month - Deborah Gordon Sarah Snell-Pym and me! We'd love you to come along and join us if you can! Keep up with the sunscreen too!!!

10/06/2026

What an amazing night we had with Laura Sampson last week - wonderful tales of Yamanba as we travelled up and round the mountain to find Old Lady Mountain and discovered compassion at the heart of everything and then such a rich variety of offerings from our open mic spots.Thank you to everyone for coming along!!

03/06/2026

Hello lovely folks coming to storytelling tomorrow night - entrance will be via the back door on Quay Street. See you soon!

02/06/2026

Ooh getting excited for Thursday this week!! It's going to be great to welcome Laura!

Join us on an adventure into East Asian myths and folklore on June 4th as we join Laura Sampson on a quest to find 'Yamanba'....
High up in the mountains, between peak and river source, squats an Old Crone, forgotten and herself forgetful ofeverything, even her name. But once, she was worthy of worship. Who is she now?
‘Hungry mountain hag' was the figure Laura expected to see when she first sat down in a Tokyo theatre to watch the
noh Yamanba. But the being she met there was more: perplexing, awesome, enticing - built from stories not in Laura's books. Where could she find Her?
Fragments of Yamanba dance through East Asian myth, folklore, Buddhist parables ... and the unenlightened minds
of those who dare follow them. Join Laura’s climb up intrepid, intricate mountain paths, in search of a being of ravenous fury, forgotten might, and surprising compassion.